To apply to NP programs now, or later...that is the question.

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Background...I am finishing up my second degree, an accelerated BSN this December. I have a BA in Psych from 2002 and have been working in child development ever since graduating with my BA. I do developmental evaluations on children birth to 3 and am on a specialty team that evaluates and then monitors the development of all the extreme premature babies in our county. In fact, I decided to go back to nursing school to ultimately become a PNP because I absolutely LOVE working with all of the medically fragile and disabled children that I see.

I have gotten practically straight A's throughout my BSN program, and this was on top of the fact that I still work more than 20 hours a week, have a 4 year old child to care for, AND I commute 2 hours each way to school!!! This has been easy for me and I have really had to study a very small amount. I also got one of the top scores out of my class on the Exit HESI. Only issue I've had is a bit of stress just from having to meet deadlines for both work and school. The work hasn't been hard, just time consuming, kwim?

So here's my dilemma...I graduate in December and my local university has a DNP program that starts the following August. I have a HRSA commitment so I will need to work 2 years full time or 3.5 years part time regardless. But my question is, how hard is a DNP program??? I'm not bragging, I just want to clarify that getting all A's in my BSN program has been very easy for me, so I want to know opinions of others in the same boat...how time consuming is a DNP program, either full or part time. Do you think I can do it while working? I will have about 6 months experience as an RN before I start, so I won't be a total newbie! Plus, I'll keep working the whole way through school so that'll add to my experience.

I have done some graduate work in the past as well, so I know that graduate classes are different than undergrad classes. Is it the same for nursing programs? Do you have to do all the time suck care plans and crap in a DNP program?

So whatdyall think, should I apply now for the August start or should I wait a few years? Don't you just love it when people ask you to make their life decisions for them on this forum? :p Any thoughts will be appreciated!

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Oh crap...that was long. Sorry:uhoh21:

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I got all A;s in my BSN probrma also. It was a piece of cake. Worked full time.

NP is whole other animal. I struggled with b's and c's. It's very difficult. But I did work full time during the whole program.

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Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.

The programs are harder than undergrad nursing( at least mine is!). You'll have to study more but seriously the pay-off is really worth it as far as I am concerned. I say go for it. Get into the grad program as soon as you can. It will open up more opportunities for you down the road. Good luck!

Sue, RN

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To the above posters...thank you! This is the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I know that undergrad nursing school is a piece of cake for me but I really have no idea what to expect out of an NP program. So all this feedback will be helpful when it comes to planning my time with regards to work and school commitments. Thanks

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Go for it, it will be worth it in the end. You have what it takes.

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I had a 3.9 for my BSN---with a previous degree in Statistics. I agree-grad school for NP is very different. We have the same textbooks as the MD students and it's crammed into a very short amount of time.

I am not sure there is ever a good time to go back. I waited until my 3rd child started K-5. I think the hardest part of school was balancing work and family. Children grow up so fast--and I definately feel like I have sacrificed some of that time. :(

Our first exam in the clinical portion was like 20 chapters and 50 articles....AHHH...don't know that the material is so much harder--as the volume is 20 times that of undergrad. Sounds like you will do great--and have a heart for the little ones. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Education, Research, ENT, Oncology.

I'm considering a post-master's NP and am also concerned about the work-family balance. My boys are 5 and 7. They are little for such a short while...

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I will echo what others have said. I did an accelerated BSN program and did very well (I found the work came naturally to me - didn't have to study, etc.). I entered the BSN program with a BA and a master's degree. I worked full-time during the BSN program and had no problems. Less than a week after finishing my BSN, I started a Psych NP program at an out-of-state school. The NP program is, without doubt, much more difficult than anything I have ever done before. I am doing well grade-wise, but I am working much harder for the grade and having to work hard to balance my work and family. Also, it is noteworthy to mention that I have a great deal of flexibility in my job and essentially build my own schedule - even with this, I have found it difficult to complete the VAST amounts of work that are associated with my program. Not to mention that clinical rotations begin in January.

Of course, this isn't to discourage you. It is very do-able as long as you enter the program understanding the amount of time that the program will require of you. Best of luck to you!

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Thanks for the info everyone!

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I'm considering a post-master's NP and am also concerned about the work-family balance. My boys are 5 and 7. They are little for such a short while...

I recently finished my FNP and I started when my daughter was almost 7, finished after she turned 11. I fought hard for my daughter (in vitro, cardiomyopathy, etc.etc.etc.) and no way in hell was I going to sacrifice time with her for grad school. I chose a program that would allow flexibility i.e. let me take anywhere from 1-3 classes per semester and I transferred to the ER where I could work as much or as little as I needed/wanted. We are fortunate that my husband is the main provider so my income was not absolutely essential. We did supplement from time to time with a student loan here or there and I have no regrets about doing that. The extra $$ allowed me to not work as much and to enjoy more time at home.

I made it a point to study during the hours my daughter was in school and then stayed OFF the computer between the hours of 3-8 and would pick it up again. When I was finding preceptors for the clinical portions, I always found preceptors who were fine with me flexing my time in order to get the hours, but still be able to pick my daughter up from school. I used summer camps creatively and scheduled my summer clinical hours to be jammed into those days when my daughter was at day camp.

I graduated in December and have found a wonderful part-time job (2.5 days per week). Dont be apologetic about needing family flexibility, just be creative with it and make it work. If you don't *have* to work a gazillion hours a week and take a full class load every semester then don't. I realize there are some who have to and I admire them. I didn't need to and I am happy to say I didn't miss a ball game, a Sunday afternoon off with my kid, a room party or an awards assembly or concert....and I am more proud of that than I am my diploma!

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Carachel2-Your post about balance of home and school is one of the best I have seen. I too did the creative summer camps for my youngest (and jammed as many clinicals in as physically possible). I graduate in Dec-and didn't kick myself off the computer from 3-8 until this semester. I wish that light bulb would have come on a little sooner. It's easy to convince yourself that you NEED to be doing school 24/7---not necessarily so.

If I could add one thing to those of you just starting--take all the patho, writing classes, etc before you start the clinical portion. I ended up taking them with my clinicals and it made it a little more demanding.

I always thought that children's needs got smaller as they got older. As I have one going off to college, one starting high school, and one starting middle school next year--I can tell you--they need you even more!

Best of luck with your decision!!

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